Date: Fri 17-Oct-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

politics-spending

Full Text:

Candidates Outline Their Ideas On Spending

BY STEVE BIGHAM

It is hard to make it through an election season without hearing about money

and how candidates plan to spend it if elected.

Earlier this month, Newtown's candidates for first selectman outlined where

their spending priorities lie.

Democratic candidate Herb Rosenthal wants to take a close look at the town's

Public Works Department to see how money is being spent there. He does not

know whether they are receiving too much or too little in the budget, but he

sees town roads in poor condition and that concerns him.

"They're spending lots of money down there, and before we spend any more, I

would like to see if those funds are being spent wisely," he said.

Republican candidate Russ Melita is a businessman, and, if elected, plans to

run the town as such. As in business, he plans to conduct a complete review of

the town's organizational structure to determine if the town is providing the

best client service.

"I do that in business. Why wouldn't I do that as first selectman?" he said.

"We want to be working as efficiently as possible."

Topping his list of spending priorities are the town's buildings and

infrastructure.

Mr Rosenthal said the town may need to spend more money in the land use

department to ensure that the necessary funds are available for boards to hire

experts. After all, the developers are spending a lot of money and boards are

often forced to depend on a developer's expertise for information.

As for schools, Mr Rosenthal said he will continue to be an advocate of

spending for education. If elected, Mr Rosenthal said he would try to manage

the town in much the same way as the schools are currently run.

Mr Rosenthal said he would also like to take a closer look at the first

selectman's office, which has had four employees working there during First

Selectman Bob Cascella's tenure. Mr Rosenthal is not sure if the town needs

two administrative assistants, a human resources director and a community

development director.

Mr Melita is not so quick to say whether the first selectman's office is

over-staffed. He plans to make that evaluation when and if he is elected.

Both candidates say they would consider consolidating the town, school and

park maintenance departments into one, saying it could be more cost effective

and efficient.